Events

Rev. Chuck Rinkel

Rev. Charles T. "Chuck" Rinkel Jr., 91, of Johnston and formerly of Ottumwa, died at 11:39 a.m. November 19, 2018 at Taylor House in Des Moines, IA due to complications from Lewy body dementia and hemorrhagic stroke.
He was born January 17, 1927 in Pittsburg, KS to Charles T. and Lela Jennings Rinkel. He married Nelda M. Watkins on August 7, 1949. She preceded him in death on December 26, 2010.
A graduate of Kansas State Teacher's College and Boston University School of Theology, Chuck pastored for over 40 years for various United Methodist Churches. He pastored in Selma, KS and Brookline, NH. In Iowa he pastored at Irwin-Kirkman United Methodist Church, at New Sharon-Taintor United Methodist Churches, at Grace United Methodist Church in Des Moines from 1964 to 1969, Grace United Methodist Church in Spencer, First United Methodist Church in Ottumwa from 1972 to 1985 and at First United Methodist Church in Sioux City, retiring in 1989. He and his wife, Nelda lived in Ottumwa from 1989 until moving to Johnston in 1997.
Chuck was a charge conference member of Walnut Hills United Methodist Church in Urbandale and a member of the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. He served 40 years in scouting and was Scoutmaster for a troop of special needs children in Ottumwa. He received the Silver Beaver Award and Vigil Honor Order of the Arrow. For 26 years he was a clown. From 1991 to 1997 he was "Dr. Bugg" (a clown who made rounds at Ottumwa Regional Health Center under sponsorship of the Ottumwa Regional Health Foundation.) He was also a member of the Ottumwa Community Players and the Wapello County Genealogical Society.
Surviving is his daughter, Pamela S. (Larry) Deeds of Des Moines; a son, Timothy W. Rinkel of Rochester, MN; a daughter-in-law, Vanessa Rinkel of Chattanooga, TN; three grandchildren, Brieana Rinkel, Mariah (Paul) Hughes and Jon Rinkel.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Jeffrey L. Rinkel; and an infant brother, Howard Dean Rinkel.
His body has been cremated. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday, November 30, 2018 at Walnut Hills United Methodist Church in Urbandale, followed by the memorial service at 10 a.m. with Rev. Dr. Beverlee Bell officiating. A reception will follow the service.
Inurnment will be in Ottumwa Cemetery at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 1, 2018 with Rev. Jon Disburg officiating. A reception will follow at First United Methodist Church in Ottumwa.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Walnut Hills United Methodist Church, 12321 Hickman Road, Urbandale, IA 50323 or First United Methodist Church, 202 E. Fourth St. Ottumwa, IA 52501.
Reece Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
To plant a tree in memory of Rev. Chuck Rinkel, please visit Tribute Store.